The keywords characterising the supervision exercised in 2023 are increased proactivity of the Authority and more active intervention in the focus topics of the respec[1]tive fields.
Over the course of the year, the Competition Division conducted 15 proceedings, out of which 9 were terminated and 6 resumed in 2024. In one case, the market participants were given a recommendation.
Control of concentrations is the cornerstone of effective competition supervision. The Competition Authority controls concentrations of undertakings with the aim to assess the effects of competition law and to prevent the emergence or strengthening of a dominant market position which may impede effective competition in the goods market or in a substantial part thereof. In 2023, the Competition Authority received 32 notices of concentration, 6 of which were subject to supplementary proceedings (for details see the statistics LINK HERE). As an example of one of the most important supplementary proceedings of 2023, the concentration of AS Maag Grupp and AS HKScan Estonia, AS HKScan Latvia and UAB ‘HKScan Lietuva’ (LINK) can be cited.
The Regulatory Division conducted 7 supervisory proceedings and 13 court/ challenge proceedings. The year 2023 is characterised by proactive supervision of monopoly services (maximum prices for heat, prices for electricity and gas network services and prices for water services). At the beginning of the year, Elektrilevi’s supervisory proceedings concerning large-scale disruptions of the power supply in Saaremaa were terminated, on the basis of which it was concluded that Elektrilevi needs to increase both its planning skills and its real ability to eliminate outages. It is also necessary to strengthen the supervision of circumstances threatening power lines. In the autumn, there were again several large-scale interruptions, for which the Competition Authority initiated new supervisory proceedings – which ended with a precept against Elektrilevi. Supervisory proceedings were also initiated regarding Elering’s emergency reserve power plant in Kiisa. In connection with the fall in fuel and electricity prices, prices for regulated services were also brought down, which can be seen under the sectoral trends.
In addition to supervision, we also consider dialogue with market participants to be important and we have set ourselves the goal of being an expert organisation that is consulted to prevent issues and is a partner to undertakings.
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